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Bristol has a long association with the 'green' movement and is proud of its status as a Green Capital (2015). As well as being the UK's first Cycling City, Bristol is also a Fairtrade City which sees it trading fairly with nearly five million workers in 58 developing countries. To further boost its green credentials, Bristol is home to the Soil Association, Sustrans and the Bristol-born Ecojam.

For this week’s #FoodFriday we asked the Ecojam Bristol team to give us their suggestions for the best sustainable, green and ethical places to eat and drink in Bristol…

Poco

Built from recycled materials and powered by renewables, this gem on Jamaica Street with super-friendly and knowledgeable staff, is one of our absolute favourites. Their fresh produce is 100% seasonal and 90% British, while the remaining ingredients are meticulously chosen for their quality, flawless ethics and reduced plastic packaging. 95% of waste is recycled, and bin bags are weighed each day to analyse and reduce future waste! Oh, and their Tapas is top notch too.

‘Feel good food’ is an ethos that echoes in not only the 100% free range BBQ pulled pork burrito and Chorizo and Chicken Gumbo Hot Box, but also in the entirely renewable energy supply and landfill free waste. A self-proclaimed, ‘place’ – not quite a café, not quite a restaurant – Friska has become one of our favourite places in Bristol.

Vx

The UK’s first chain of vegan shops, Vx’s mission is to “promote a cruelty-free vegan lifestyle without sacrificing taste”. And boy do they hit that mark. From mac and cheese to kebabs and burgers, to combinations of all of the above, their food will leave your morals intact and your seams bursting. I mean, who could refuse a mountainous vegan milkshake with a donut on top?

Foodcycle

Foodcycle aims to reduce loneliness and food poverty. Surplus food, collected from Sainsbury’s and independent retailers by volunteer cyclists, is transformed into hearty meals for all to enjoy at Barton Hill Settlement every Saturday. Student-run events also take place regularly throughout the city. They’re often advertising for volunteer collectors and cooks on Ecojam.

Flow

Just off the Bearpit, this well-hidden vegetarian restaurant is easily missed. Which would be a mistake, trust us. Combining flavours that you would never consider putting together, the food is exclusively vegetarian and locally-sourced, and some ingredients are even foraged. Friendly staff, delicious vegetarian food, a cosy candle-lit atmosphere – what more could you want?

We’re big fans of this cosy café tucked away on Park Street. 50% of their produce is organic and bought from local, trusted suppliers. Wholesome, sustainable and organic, Folk House is helping to create a ‘joyful world, one bowl of soup at a time’.

A big up for The Oxford pub in Totterdown, too – quite possibly the first in Bristol to ban plastic straws because of the damage they cause to marine life.